A pink Zune, now? So 2006

It's become standard practice in the consumer electronics industry: When it doubt, paint it pink. But strategies like that usually work best when a color is still hot, or at least lukewarm.

Perhaps that explains why Microsoft--rarely accused of setting trends these days--is coming out with a pink Zune now. Cliczune says EBgames.com has confirmed that the pastel version of the media player will be available May 1 for $250 with the standard 30GB storage capacity.

We doubt that the new hue will propel the Zune over the iPod anytime soon, but there was a fair amount of buzz over a few special pink versions in circulation back in November. And then there was that eBay auction where a pink Zune went for $960.